Explained: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty

For the first time, United Nations members have agreed for an early conclusion of the International Legally Binding Instrument of BBNJ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Background The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was established in 1994 before marine biodiversity became a well-established concept An… Continue reading

What are ‘Bio-Computers’ and what can they tell us about the human brain?

Central idea: Johns Hopkins University scientists have proposed creation of Bio-Computers’ using a new area of research called “organoid intelligence”. Background JHU scientists will harness the processing power of the brain and help understand the biological basis of human cognition, learning, and neurological disorders. Traditional methods of studying the human brain involve using rat brains,… Continue reading

SWAMIH investment fund and its affordable housing push

The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund I has raised Rs 15,530 crore so far. What is the SWAMIH investment fund? The SWAMIH Investment Fund I is a social impact fund specifically formed for completing stressed and stalled residential projects. The Fund is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance and is… Continue reading

One Nation, One Challan Initiative

The Gujarat Govt. informed High Court that it’s setting up virtual traffic courts under ‘One Nation One Challan’ initiative while hearing a PIL on the matter. What is the One Nation, One Challan initiative? One Nation, One Challan is an initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It aims to bring all related… Continue reading

Assam’s Maidams meet UNESCO technical requirements for heritage centre

Assam’s pyramid-like structures known as moidams or maidams have met all the technical requirements of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre. Charaideo Maidams The Charaideo maidams represents the late medieval (13th-19th century CE) mound burial tradition of the Tai Ahom community in Assam. The Ahoms preferred to place the departed family members at Charaideo where the first… Continue reading

Foldscope: A new paper microscope

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have developed a cheap paper microscope (foldscope) connected to a smartphone camera that could find wider application in a variety of research areas, and in some cases potentially replace more expensive equipment. What is Foldscope? The Foldscope is a handheld microscope made mostly of paper that… Continue reading

Capital Expenditure (CAPEX): Crucial Role Of The States

Central Idea The budget’s clear thrust towards capital expenditure is evident in the 33% increase in its allocation. The primary goal of this allocation is to bolster aggregate demand in the short term and enhance the economy’s productive capacity in the long term. This strategy is widely regarded as beneficial, especially considering the crucial role… Continue reading

Women’s Role In Constitution Building

Central idea The process of drafting our Constitution during Partition and after a long period of colonization was a magnificent and dynamic process. Despite being part of the Assembly, voices and contributions of women have been neglected and overshadowed. The riveting work by Achyut Chetan,” The Founding Mothers of the Republic” published by Cambridge University… Continue reading

Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Transforming Rural Women’s Life

Central Idea Women from rural India are adopting clean energy-based livelihood technologies to catalyse their businesses. From solar refrigerators to silk-reeling machines and biomass-based cold storage to bulk milk chillers, distributed renewable energy (DRE) is transforming women’s livelihoods at the grassroots. What is Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE)? DRE refers to the generation and distribution of… Continue reading

PMI suggests Services activity hit 12-year high

The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the services sector in India rose to 55.3 in February. This marks the highest level of the PMI in the services sector in 12 years, driven by an increase in new business orders and employment. Service Sector The service sector, also known as the tertiary sector, includes a wide… Continue reading

World Bank Index on Life Cycle of Working Women

Central idea: The article reports on India’s score in the World Bank Index on the life cycle of working women. World Bank Index on the Life Cycle of Working Women It is a tool developed by the World Bank to measure and track the progress of women’s economic participation and opportunities over their lifetimes. It… Continue reading

Hidden corridor discovered in Pyramid of Giza using Cosmic-Ray Muon Radiography

A hidden corridor has been unearthed by scientists inside the Great Pyramid of Giza using a non-invasive technique called cosmic-ray muon radiography. What is Cosmic-Ray Muon Radiography (CMR)? CMR is a technique used to study the density and composition of materials hidden within large and dense objects, such as geological formations, archaeological sites, and industrial… Continue reading

Yellowstone NP celebrates its 151st anniversary

Yellowstone National Park, which celebrated its 151st anniversary earlier this week, is widely considered to be the first national park in the world. Yellowstone National Park It is a large protected area located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho. It was established in 1872 and is… Continue reading

South Asia Need to Invest In Human Capital

Central Idea The last few years have ushered in a harsh new reality where crises are the norm rather than the exception. Pandemics, economic slumps and extreme weather events were once tail-end risks, but all three have hit South Asia in rapid succession since 2020. To strengthen resilience and protect the well-being of future generations,… Continue reading

Supreme Court verdict on ECI appointments

Central idea: The Supreme Court has directed the central government to form a permanent selection committee consisting of consist of the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India or his nominee to recommend the appointment of Election Commissioners. Supreme Court Ruling The Supreme Court ruled that the appointment of the… Continue reading

Academic Freedom in India declined strongly since 2013: Report

India’s academic freedom index is in the bottom 30 percent among 179 countries, according to a new report. Academic Freedom Index Update, 2023 The report was a collaborative effort of 2,917 country experts worldwide. It was co-ordinated by Swedish think tank V-Dem Institute and the Institute of Political Science at the Friedrich Alexander University in… Continue reading

World Wildlife Day- 2023: 50 years of the CITES

March 3 marks the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. Why is World Wildlife Day marked? March 3 marks the anniversary of CITES’ establishment. CITES is considered a landmark agreement on conservation that focuses on ensuring the sustainability of endangered species. In… Continue reading

What is the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) regime?

The Reserve Bank of India is moving closer towards ring-fencing the banking system from credit losses as it proposes to move to provision on the principles of ‘expected losses’ from ‘incurred losses. ‘ What is a Loan-Loss Provision? The RBI defines a loan loss provision as an expense that banks set aside for defaulted loans.… Continue reading

VAIBHAV fellowship for Indian Diaspora

The centre has launched VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme for the Indian Diaspora abroad on National Science Day. VAIBHAV fellowship The Vaibhav Fellowship is a program that invites overseas Indian scientists and researchers to work with Indian institutions and universities for a period of 2-3 weeks. The program is open to individuals of Indian origin who are… Continue reading

SDGs: India’s Progress Analysis

Central Idea A recent analysis published in The Lancet has concluded that India is not on-target to achieve 19 of the 33 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators. The critical off-target indicators include access to basic services, wasting and overweight children, anaemia, child marriage, partner violence, tobacco use, and modern contraceptive use. Get your Rs 10,000… Continue reading

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